GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A South Carolina man’s latest effort to have his execution reconsidered was denied. 

Brad Sigmon’s legal team said he’s deeply remorseful for what he did in 2001. Sigmon was convicted of murder for the death of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke.

Sigmon had repeatedly beat them with a baseball bat inside their home.

He admitted his guilt during his trial in 2002 and was sentenced to death. He’s scheduled to be put to death by firing squad on Friday, March 7, in Columbia.

“He admitted guilt at trial, he expressed remorse at trial,” Chief Gerald “Bo” King of the Fourth Circuit Capital Habeas Unit said. “He has spent every day since being eaten up by the knowledge of what he did.”

Sigmon has spent over 20 years in prison, awaiting his execution.

“Mr. Sigmon is pretty fearful about Friday,” King said.

King said that Sigmon suffered from a mental illness when he murdered the Larkes.

Court records revealed Sigmon had been smoking crack cocaine and had been intoxicated the evening before the killings.

People have asked 7NEWS why someone on death row may spend time in prison for decades before their execution.

“The whole purpose of clemency is for people like Mr. Sigmon, who are very different people today, then they were at the time of the crime,” King said.

No South Carolina governor has ever granted clemency. 

King said if South Carolina is going to implement capital punishment, it needs to be carried out more humanely. He said Sigmon’s choice of execution wasn’t an easy one.

“He made the only choice he could make when the alternative is being strapped to a gurney for 20 minutes, possibly drowning in blood and fluid in your own lungs,” King said.

King said despite the South Carolina Supreme Court’s latest denial of reconsideration, he is still hopeful Sigmon’s execution will not happen.

“Someone who has never had a violent incident in prison, someone who serves as an informal chaplain to his fellow prisoners,” King said. “Someone who, again is a source of strength and calm within the institution, is not someone who needs to be executed.”

King said Governor Henry McMaster still has time to grant clemency and he hopes he will do so.